Intermittent actuating mechanism and method



Aug. 4, 1931. D. R. YARNALI. E1- AL. 1,816,886

INTERMITTENT ACTUATING MECHANISI AND METHODl 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 15, 192'7 0 J L T 1m. J x n 7 z .SM .VII z l -I-.m m 0 w m l Q ,s M j G Aug.'4, 1931. D. R. YARNALL ETAL 1,815,886

vINTERMIT'IEWI ACTUATING NECHANISH AND METHOD Filed NOV. 15. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 REDucTT Aug. 4, 1931. D. R. YARNALL ETAL 1,816,885

INTERMITTENT ACTUATING MECHANISK AND METHOD Filed Nov. 15. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED l STATES PATENT OFFICE DAVID ROBERT YARNELL, OF GERMANTOWN, PHILADELPHIA, AND' THOMAS P. TAP- PER, F ROSLYN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOBS TO YABNALL-WARING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA INTERMITTENT ACTUATING MECHANISM AND METHOD Application led November 15, 1927. Serial No. 233,406.

Our invention relates to a device and method intended to turn a valve, switch or other mechanism at predetermined time 1ntervals and to predetermined extents.

5 One purpose is to operate a valve or switch by hydraulic means and to control the times' of its operation by electrical means.

A further purpose is to shift a valve plunger by hydraulic operation of a rack and pmion, stopping the valve deiimtely and positively in predetermined positions, and resetting for succeeding operations by return of the parts which have been operated by iuid pressure.

A further purpose is to control hydraulic operating mechanism for a valve by a nonhydraulic timing device and to reset the parts hydraulically. .A

l A further purpose is to shift a valve by positive movement in one direction, and to determine its final position by reversal, shifting it against a stop.

A further purpose is to provide a stop device for determining valve plug position and to utilize the same mechanism to prevent reversal of the valve operating control until the valve reaches approximately the correct position.

A further purpose is to electrically operate a master, to cause movement of controlling mechanism for an hydraulic motor at intervals determined by positions of the master to shift a valve or switch by the hydraulic control, to prevent return motor movement until approximately the intended set position of the valve or switch is reached, and to then return the parts to position for subsequent master operation.

Our invention relates both to methods described and claimed and to apparatus by which the methods may be carried out.

We have preferred to illustrate our invention by one form only among many by which it may be carried out, selecting a form which is practical, efiicient, reliable and relatively inexpensive and which at the same time well illustrates the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing an hydraulic press to whose operation my in- 50 vention may be applied.

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views Ashowing dierent valve connections corresponding to the different positions at which a valve plug rests.

Figure 6 is a side elevation partly broken away and sectioned showing one application of our invention to an hydraulic valve.

Figure v7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the valve and part of its operating mechanism seen in Figure 6. l

Figure 8 is an end view of a portion of the structure seen in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 10.

Figure 10 is an elevation partly in section corresponding to line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 1l is a vertical section through an hydraulic control valve seen in Figure 6.

Figures lla and 11?) are fragmentary sections corresponding to parts of Figure 11 but with the parts in different positions.

Figure 12 is a central longitudinal section of a portion of the structure seen in Figure 11, taken upon the line 12-12.

In the drawings similar numerals indicate like parts.

In various arts it is desirable to perform a succession of operations or the same operation a succession of times at spaced intervals which can be predetermined and definitely maintained. Though there are other arts in which such control is desired than the art of controlling hydraulic presses, and other means of intermediate control in the par ticular art than by the shifting of an hydraulic valve, the best illustration known t0 us .of the application of our invention lies in control of fluid admission at different pressures to hydraulic presses and exhaust of fiuid therefrom by means of an hydraulic valve whose plug may be given equal or unequal successive partial movements axially or rotarily, according to the character of valve, to accomplish the purpose. In accordance with the requirements of the statute that we disclose our best form, We are therefore illustrating and will describe in detail such an hydraulic control system of an hyp draulic press, using a rotary valve plug, with the understanding that it is an illustration merely and does not interfere with the claiming of our invention broadly enough to a ply to linal operations other than hydraulic press actuation, which may be electrically controlled, for example, and to control of these other operations by successive predetermined equal o r unequal movements of an electric switch for example instead of :a valve plug or plunger. The means of control may also be greatly varied.

The hydraulic press 15 (Figure 1) is provided with any cylinder- 15 fed and exhausted through a safety valve 16 and pipe 17 leading from a valve 18, to which are connected at predetermined intervals high pressure fluid through pipe 19 from a Source 20, low pressure fluid through pipe 2l from a source 22 and exhaust connection through pipe 23. The safety valve is for the purpose merely of connecting the press to exhaust independently of the position of the valve 18, in order to take care of emergencies at the press. It normally remains in the position shown in each'of Figures 2, 3 and 5, but may be thrown to that of Figure '4. In Figure 2 the connections are such that the low pressure is connected with the press cylinder to move its head 24 into operative engagement with the die containing the material which is intended to be pressed. This may be a phenol concentrate which is under heat treatment, for example, or any other substance intended to undergo pressure alone or to be eoincidently or subsequently otherwise treated.

In Figure 3 the connections are such as to apply high pressure fluid to the press cylinder, pressing the phenol derivative, for example, to a maximum extent at the same time that it is under heat treatment. Figure 4 shows a third position of the valve plug in which no action takes place but in which the pressure applied to the cylinder is retained in the cylinder, as distinguished from the exhaustion of this cylinder, and Figure 5 shows the cylinder of the press subsequently connected to exhaust.

Our preferred control and operating mechanism for the valve is best seen in Figures 6, 7 and 8, where an electric motor 24 through shaft 25 and gear reduction within box 26 operates a stop control device 27 and a master time control 28. Both are shown as discs. As the master turns, its notches 29, 29', 292 and 293 successively permit a spring pressed latch 30 upon an operating lever 31 to be swung above pivot 32 in clockwise direction by spring 33 when the latch comes opposite the successive notches.

When the operating lever is thus drawn to,v

draulic valve-operating cylinder 40 is determined. This causes fluid to be introduced through passage 41 to end 42 of the cylinder causing the piston 43 to move to the right in Figure 6 from its normal resting place as shown. Its piston rod 44 carries a rack 45 guided at 46 and connected with a gear 47. This form of interconnection is illustrated because wehavepreferredthe rotary plug type of valve to the plunger type for our disclosure.

The gear carries a rotary valve plug 48 with it in one direction by reason of engagement of latches 49 upon the gear with the teeth of a ratchet 50 upon the plug shaft 51. The valve is seen best in Figures 7 and 9.

The valve plug shaft 51 carries with it a combined stop disc and cam plate 52 which is turned in counter-clockwise direction by the turning of the valve plug. Since the bar 35 has been moved to the left before this turning movement begins, its end 53 is then out of the path of dise movement and does not interfere with this turning operation.

As the rack 45 moves to the right in Figure 6 its pin 54 engages operating lever 31 and swings the lever to the right, which movement is permitted by the spring mounting of latch 30 so that it can slide into its casing 55 against the pressure of spring 56 when its sloping end 57 engages the sloping surface 58 upon the disc 28. This allows spring 37 to return the bar 35 to the right until it rests with its extreme end surface59 against lone of the dwells 60 of cam 52. No reversal of valve 39 takes place until rotation of cam 52 carries the edge 61 of one of its notches 62 past the end of bar 35 so that the bar can drop into the notch. Reversal of valve 39 then takes place so that passage 41 and the cylinder end 42 are connected with exhaust while fluid pressure is admitted to the end 63 through passage 64.

Reversal of the fluid pressure in the hydraulic cylinder causes reverse movement of the piston 43 and of the bar 45, pulling it to the left in Figure 6 and causing the latches 49 to turn about the surface 65 of the ratchet. The drag thus given to the ratchet may be made suflicient to turn the valve plug back to its correct position for registry, determining this by engagement of the side 66 of the bar 35 with an edge 67 of the notch 62, in ease the plug has been turned too far by the previous rack and pinion turning movement.

Electric current for operation of the turning mechanism is supplied to motor 24, which may be a synchronous motor, from any suitable source through conduetors 68, 69 interrupted in non-use by the opening as a switch at 70. The switch is preferably opened automatically at the end of a predetermined run or cycle for example after one complete rotation or reciproeation of a valve plug or electric switch. For this purpose the lever 71 Leicese carrying knife 72 is pivoted at 73 in suchposition that its weight will open the s'w1tch unless the lever be held up by outside means. This outside means is provided by extending the lever at 7 4 so that pin and slot connection 75 is made by it `with an end 73 ota lever 77, pivoted at 78 and having a progectmg nose 79 which is adapted at the stopping positions of the parts to tit into a notch or 1 nto notches 80 in stop control disc 27. ln the illustration a complete rotation of the dlsc takes place for each cycleand there is but one notch.

In the position shown, the parts are stopped at the end of a run and the 'nose 79 tits into this notch 80. As soon as the switch is closed, lifting nose 79, and the motor has turned the disc 27 a short distance, the nose 79 will ride upon the surface 8l of the disc, holding lever 77 in tilted position so as to maintain the arm or lever 7l in switch-clos ing position. This closed position of the switch will be maintained until another notch 80 comes around in position for the nose 79 to drop into it, so that the number of successive steps of the entire mechanism can be controlled by the number of notches in the disc land the time between successive stops can be controlled by timing the stop control disc 27 which may or may not require corresponding time of rotation the disc. 28, according to the relative rates of rotation and location of the notches in these two discs. In the illustration they are shown as turning together. There is but one notch 80 shown, re uiring a full rotation of the disc.

fter the latch upon the operating lever 3l has passed through a notch such as 29 in the disc 28, so as to start the hydraulic valve operating mechanism, and has been returned to the position shown in Figure 6 the valve or other mechanism controlled is rotated until bar 35 is reached by and hence drops into the next notch 62 of the combined cam and stop 52. The valve 39 then reverses, valve plug 48 is brought back if it has been thrown too far and the parts are ready for another actuation of the plug 48. Disc 28 continues to turn, so that successive operations of the hydraulic valve control mechanism and successive movements of the valve control take place as notches 29', 292, etc., come in line with latch 30, one actuation of the valve plug in the controlled valve or of other mechanism controlled taking place for each notch.

It will be evident that with any designed rate of rotation of the disc 28-within the control of the designer-the time between successive hydraulic operations of the controlled valve is determined by the spacing between the notches, which may be equally spaced for equal timing of the single controlled valve operations or may be in any time proportion or relation which may be desired according to the equal or variantI spacing of the notches. As the motor may be synchronized to give it uniform speed -under some major control if desired, the timing may be determined with any accuracy required, as all the elements of it are flexible and within the definite control of the designer.

We will now describe the operation of the mechanism and will then proceed to explain one construction permissible for valve 39 and one construction of controlled valve by which our invention may be carried out, in order that the form illustrated may be clear, but without any thought or intention of restricting to the character of these mechanisms shown any more than of restricting the broader aspects of our invention to the-detail of the mechanism seen in Figure 6.

When the lever 7l is lifted the motor is started, turning discs 27 and 28. T he pe ripheral surface of disc 27 holds the switch lever in closed position until the next notch in disc 27 comes around to the nose 79. In the meantime the disc 28 revolves, permitting a counter-clockwise movement of operating le ver 29 for each notch of the disc 28 vas the notch comes opposite latch 30. Between the notches the lever arm operates bar 35 and, through it, valve 39, so that piston 43 and rack 45 move to the right, turning the controlled valve plug to a new position and throwing one ot the dwells 60 under the end surface 59 of the bar 35 so as to hold the plunger of valve 39 in the position to which it has been moved until the next notch or" disc 52 comes about, so that the bar can drop in it and does so, as seen in Figure 6. ln the meantime the pin 54e of the bar l5 has returned operating lever 3l to the position of Figure 5 and valve 39 has reversed, throwing the rack back to the position shown in Figure 6 and tending to drag the plunger of the controlled valve in a reverse direction so that an exact stopping position is obtained by the engagement of an edge 6l of cam with the bar 35.

The controlling calva-The Valve 39 is illustrated by one form in which it may appear in Figures ll, lla, 1l?) and 12, the first three of which show three different positions of the plunger valve. Figure ll shows the position to which the valve is thrown by movement of the bar 35 to the left, and Figure 11a shows the neutral position of the parts, in which the valve rests while the end sur- Jface 59 of bar 35 is held in an intermediate position by engagement `with one of the dwells 60. Figure 1lb shows the position of the valve plunger when the parts are located as seen in Figure 6.

The valve body 82 (Figure ll) is provided with ports 83 and 84 communicating with inlet v85 and outlet 86 respectively, and with passages 87 and 88 which alternate as inlet and outlet, respectively, according to the end of the cylinder to which fluid pressure is being applied.

Between the passages 83 and 84 on the one side and 87 and 88 on the other, the valve is longitudinally bored at 89 and counterbored at 90 and 91. Within the bore is placed a sleeve 92,7having apertures l93 and 94 registering with passages 87 'and 88, and 95 register- .ing with passage 83.

The counterbores 90 and 91 are closed at 96 and 97 and are constantly in communication through longitudinal openin s 98 (Figure 12). Counterbore 91-and t erefore counterbore 90 also-is connected at all times with outlet passage 84.

In the position of the parts shown in Figures 1 and 11, inlet passage 83 is connected with passage 87 and hence with passage 4l, and passage 64 is at exhaust through passage 88 and the counterbore 91. Pistons 99 andl 100 separate the'inlet lluid from both counterbores and therefore from the exhaust.

In the position of the parts shown in Figure 11a, pistons 99 and 100 close off both of the o enings 93 and 94 and, therefore,- main- L tain uid conditions in the cylinder 40 as vthey were at the time the change to this position was made.

In the position of theO parts shown in Fig| ure 11b, pistons99 and 100 close off the inlet and passage 88 from both counterbores,.thus making passage 88 the inlet, through passage 64 to the right hand end of cylinder 40 in Figure 6. vThis permits exhaust through 4 passage 87, counterbore 90, passages 98 and counterbore 91.

The controlled @ahve-.The valve seen in diagram in Figures 1-5 is illustrated by one embodiment in Figures 7, 9 and 10. The position of the parts in Figure 10 is that of Figurel 2. In Figure 4 the connections of valve 18 are the same as in Figure 3 but emergency exhaust is provided through valve 16. The valve 18 comprises plug 48 and body 101.

` The body is provided with our passages communicating with the bore 102 within which the plug turns. These are a high pressure connection 103, a low pressure connection 104,

' an exhaust connection 105, and the connection with the machine-or press controlled shown at 106. Mechanism for maintaining a tight joint between the plug and the connecting parts is shown in Figure 9 but need not be described since it forms no part of our invention.

In Figure 10, the upper part of the body is cut away, carrying with it the machine connection which is directly in line with the opening in the plug facing upwardly and in circumferential line with the exhaust. The machine connection and exhaust are thus 1ocated at approximately 90o distance about the circumference of the plug but at the same point along the length of the plug, whereas high and low pressure connections are made at different points along the length of the plug'as well as atxdiierent angular positions about' its circumference.

openings 112 and 113 intended in one posi,

t1on to provide communication from one to the other between the machine or press and the exhaust and intended to provide com-munication between the low pressure inlet and the machine in another position of the plug, that shown in Figure l0. Y

Remembering that the machine connection of the body is in the part toward the oby server which has been cut away in Figure 10,

and starting in that fi re with the position vof the parts as there s own, the opening 113 connected with the machine or press.y The plug therefore now applies low pressure to the press.v The third, 112,of the triple oonnections of the passage llisl closed against the bore of the valve. .The high pressure connection communicates with the exhaust at one end but is closed olf at the .opposite lend. p

If the valve be rotated a quarter turn in the direction shown bythe head and tail of the arrows in Figure 10, .the high pressure inlet 103 will be connected with the machine through other three plug o emngs will be closed off against the body o the plug. Y

If the plug be given a second quarter turn from the position shown in Figure 10, i. e., a half turn from that position, all of the plug openings will be closed olf against the body of the plug except that the o ning 112 will be uselessly connected wit exhaust. In this position the fluid under pressure in the machine or press will `be trapped there.

opening 109 of passage 107 and thel If the Avalve plug be now given a third quarter turn from. theposition seen in Figure 10, the high pressure passage 107 will be closed at both ends against the sides of the plug bore, as will also plug opening 111 of the low pressure passage, but plug opening 113 will communicate with the exhaust at the same time that plug opening 112 will communicate with the machine or press connection, so that the machine or press will be connected with exhaust.

Where a switch or other controlled controlling mechanism takes the place of the valve shown, the operation of the switch or other controlled and controlling mechanism would be muchthe same as that of the valve and the extent of movement, rotation or otherwise, given to it will of course correspond with'the distance, angular or otherwise, betweenV its intended successive positions, all again within the control of the d esigner. It is our purpose, therefore, hereln to include the control through such other mechanism.

In view of our invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain part or all of the benefits of our invention without copying the structure shown, and we, therefore claim all such in so far as they fall within the ,reasonable spirit and scope of our invention. l

Having thus described our invent1on, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a time-controlled mechanism for rotating a. shaft to a predetermined extent, a constant speed driving mechanism, a timing disc having a notch and rotated by the mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston therein, a piston rod, a rack and pinion, the rack operatively connected to the rod and the pinion gearing with the rack and having a ratchet connection with the shaft, a valve having inner and outer positions controlling the position of the piston and thereby of the rack and pinion, a valve stem, a cam operatively connected to the shaft and adapted to engage the stem to limit the outward movement of the stem, a. spring pressing the stem towards its outer position, a lever having a latch connection with the disc adapted to be released at the notch, a second spring pulling the lever into the disc, loose connection between the lever and stem adapting the lever in releasing to shift the stem rearwardly and thereby effect a shifting of the position of the piston and of the rack connected to the piston, a loose operative connection between the rack and lever adapting the outward movement of the rack to relatch the lever, the cam operatively connecting to the shaft holding the stem from retracting outwardly during the relatching movement of the lever and having an 'inward step to permit a spring retraction of the stem and thereby effecting a reverse shifting of the position of the piston.

2. In time-controlled valve actuation, a rotary valve having a rotary valve plug, a Huid plunger motor, a rack carried by the motor, a gear ratcheted to the plug of the valve, a spring-retracted valve controlling the motor, a lever adapted to move the motor valve against its spring, retracting means for the lever carried by the rack, means normally stressing the lever in a direction to move the valve, and a continuously movable holding device for the lever affording release for the lever at time intervals corresponding to in'- tended valve actuation.

3. In a control device for valves, a valve body, a valve plug therein, hydraulic operating mechanism for the valve plug including a control valve having a spring retracted valve stem, a lever connected with the valve stem to move it with movement of the lever and spring drawn in a direction opposite to that of spring retraction, retractive connections between the operating mechanism and the lever and time controlled means for determining successive releases of the lever for operation by its spring.

4. In a time-controlled valve, a valve body, a plug rotatable therein, fluid-operated gear and rack turning mechanism for the plug including a spring-returned control valve stem, a rotatable disc having notches at predetermined intervals, means for uniformly rotating the disc, a lever engaging the disc and released therefrom at each notch as successive notches pass the lever, connections between the lever and control valve stem for operating the stem by movement of the lever, resilient means for moving the lever at each notch engagement and connections between the Huid-operated parts and the lever to reset the lever after the notch has passed.

5. A valve operating time controlled means, comprising a valvehaving a plug, hydraulic operating mechanism therefor, a lever starting the hydraulic mechanism and reset by its movement, and a lever release mechanism comprising a continuously rotatable member having releasing points at intervals between which the lever is held.

6. In a time-controlled valve operating mechanism, an electric motor, a rotary valve control operated thereby, a movable switch element in the electrical connections, a lever carrying the switch element, a stop rotatable with the control, providing for opening movement of the switch element by movement of the lever in one position of the stop and holding the lever in switch-closing position in other positions of the stop, a valve and valve operating and controlling mechanism cooperating with the control.

7. In a time-controlled valve operating mechanism, a valve body, a valve therein, hydraulic means for operating the valve, an operating lever therefor, a rotary member controlling the successive movements of the lever, electric means for rotating the member continuously at substantially the same speed, switch-closing means for the electric circuit and a control for the switch-closing means maintaining it in closed position during rotation of the member and providing for opening of the switch at a predetermined pointto complete a cycle of member rotation.

8. In time-controlled means for successively rotating a rotary plug or electrical switch, an electric motor, a time-controlled member rotated thereby, switch-closing means for the motor circuit, a switch control rotatable with the time controlled member and roviding opening of the switch at the conc usion of a predetermined cycle, and connections between the rotary plug or switch andthe control member including hydraulic operating mechanism, for turning the plug or switch, whereby at time intervals controlled by the time member the plug or switch is turned a predetermined angular distance.

9. A valve operatin time controlled means, comprising a va ve having a plug, hydraulic operating mechanism therefor, an operating lever starting the hydraulic mechanism and reset by its movement, and timedcontrol means for holding the lever, comprising an electric motor, a switch for closing and opening the motor circuit, a lever controlling the switch, connections from the lever operated by it, a. member rotated by the motor engaging the connections throughout a part of the rotation to hold the switch in closed position and at a predetermined oint releasing the connections and releasing the switch and a second member rotated by the motor, engaged by the operating lever in its initial posltion and releasing the operating lever at intervals to provlde operation of the valve.

10. In time-controlled mechanism for valve actuation an electric motor, a circuit therefor, a switch in the circuit, a lever carrying the switch closing member of the switch, a pivot for the lever, an extension of the lever beyond the pivot, a second lever pivoted to the extension of the rst at one end of each, a pivot for the second lever, a rotary member turned by the motor having its periphery engaging the second end of the second lever to maintain the first lever in switchclosing position and having a part of smaller diameter to provide for opening movement of the lirst lever and valve operating control mechanism rotated by the motor.

11. In time-controlled valve actuation, an operated valve having a rotary plug, a uid plunger motor, a rack carried by the motor, a gear ratcheted to the plug of the valve, a spring-retracted motor valve controlling the motor, a lever adapted to move the motor valve against its spring, a camrotatable with the operated valve, effective to stop the motor valve retraction until the operated valve has reached a predetermined position and permit full throw of the motor valve at that point, a retracting means for the lever carried by the rack and a continuously movable holding device for the lever affording release for the lever at time intervals corresponding to intended operated valve actuation.

12. In valve operating mechanism, a hydraulically operated device, a valve body, having low pressure and high pressure fluld inlet connections, exhaust, and connection to the hydraulically operated device, a plug therein adapted to connect the hydraulic device successively to low pressure, high pressure and exhaust, continuously moving driving mechanism applied to the plug at intervals adapted to drive it a partial rotation and release it, and connecting means between the driving mechanism and the valve plug successively interruptin rotation of the plug for a period after eac ofthe successive plug connections through the valve has been made.

13. In valve operating mechanism, a hydraulically operated device, a valve body, having low pressure and high pressure fluld inlet connections, exhaust, and connection to the hydraulically operated device, a plug therein adapted to connect the hydraulic device successively to low pressure, high pressure, to hold the high pressure and to connect to exhaust, continuously7 moving driving mechanism, adapted to drive it, with interruptions, a complete cycle and stop, and connecting means between the driving mechanism and the valve plug successively interrupting rotation of the plu for a period after each of the successive p ug connections through the valve has been made. n

THOMAS P. TAPPER. DAVID ROBERT YARNALL. 

